Ekpo and James get National Team call ups

Crew defender Julius James and midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo have been called up to their respective national teams.

James has joined Trinidad & Tobago for a pair of World Cup qualifiers. This Friday, Oct. 7, the Soca Warriors face Bermuda in Prospect, Bermuda, before returning to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, to host Barbados on Oct. 11. Trinidad is currently tied for first in its group with Guyana and the two teams are even on goal differential as well. Only one team from each group will advance to the third round of CONCACAF region qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Ekpo, meanwhile, will join Nigeria in Watford, England, where it will face Ghana in a friendly on Oct. 11 at Vicarage Road Stadium. The Super Eagles and the Black Stars were supposed to meet on Aug. 9, but the match was canceled due to security concerns after riots broke out in different parts of England.

Both players will return before the Crew’s all-important final two games as the club prepares to finish the season strong heading into MLS Cup playoffs.